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lnholman's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
mbenzz's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out really strong for me. I've read a bit about the Vanderbuilts in the past, so I kind of knew the story going into it, but I thought the author did a great job of giving voice to Alva, a woman of superior morals who lead Guilded Age Society with her extreme wealth and opulence.
Unfortunately, around the half-way point, I started to rapidly lose interest. Around 60% I skimmed the remainder of the book.
I can't exactly put my finer on what it was that caused me to lose interest...maybe reading over and over again about this one family that has inherited so much wealth that they just keep building more and more ostentatious homes and summer "cottages" started to lose it's charm. Alva's problems became trivial and ridiculous to me. The hierarchy of the Social Ladder, and maintaining ones position was just so silly, that I started to really dislike the entire family.
Overall, if you're interested in this particular family or the Guilded Age in general, then I absolutely recommend this book. It's extremely well researched and written, and definitely a great addition to this genre. However I personally just started to tire of it. I used to love Guilded Age novels, but it's been a LONG time since I picked one up. Maybe now that I'm older and more experienced in life, I find it all so obnoxious. The society, the ridiculously large 'homes', the clothing, the rules...no thanks. I do want to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this, though. Much appreciated!
Unfortunately, around the half-way point, I started to rapidly lose interest. Around 60% I skimmed the remainder of the book.
I can't exactly put my finer on what it was that caused me to lose interest...maybe reading over and over again about this one family that has inherited so much wealth that they just keep building more and more ostentatious homes and summer "cottages" started to lose it's charm. Alva's problems became trivial and ridiculous to me. The hierarchy of the Social Ladder, and maintaining ones position was just so silly, that I started to really dislike the entire family.
Overall, if you're interested in this particular family or the Guilded Age in general, then I absolutely recommend this book. It's extremely well researched and written, and definitely a great addition to this genre. However I personally just started to tire of it. I used to love Guilded Age novels, but it's been a LONG time since I picked one up. Maybe now that I'm older and more experienced in life, I find it all so obnoxious. The society, the ridiculously large 'homes', the clothing, the rules...no thanks. I do want to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this, though. Much appreciated!
lilimarleenm's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Ms Fowler in a soft, quiet way brought Alva Smith Vanderbilt Belmont to life. I felt transported back in time and could picture the people, dress, opulence and need. A nice read.
abookolive's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
dawn1117's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
izzzzyj's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook narrated by Barrie Kreinik
3.5***
The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: A Novel of the Vanderbilts.
Alva Smith and her sisters are left with nothing but their good reputation after the Civil War. William Vanderbilt’s family is wealthy but not accepted by New York’s premier families. A marriage between the two might improve both families’ spot in society. It’s a false hope, however. But Alva is determined. She uses her husband’s money to build new and lavish mansions, hosts her own grand balls, works to found the Metropolitan Opera House, and to ensure that her children achieved the stature she deemed appropriate.
She was no shrinking violet … she was a Steel Magnolia. Intelligent, cagey, and fiercely independent. Faced with a betrayal, she moved forward with a scandalous strategy. It was a courageous move, but she was determined. Among the causes she championed was suffrage for all women.
I thought Fowler did a great job of bringing this fascinating woman to life. Of course I had heard of the Vanderbilts, but I knew little of Alva’s background or of her political causes before reading this.
Barrie Kreinik did a fine job of performing the audiobook. I found her interpretation of Ava and the many other characters believable. This is the second book set during the Gilded Age that I’ve listened to this month, and I admit that I got a bit confused at times, thinking that an episode in the story of Jennie Churchill was part of Alva’s story. That’s my fault, not the book’s or narrator’s.
3.5***
The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: A Novel of the Vanderbilts.
Alva Smith and her sisters are left with nothing but their good reputation after the Civil War. William Vanderbilt’s family is wealthy but not accepted by New York’s premier families. A marriage between the two might improve both families’ spot in society. It’s a false hope, however. But Alva is determined. She uses her husband’s money to build new and lavish mansions, hosts her own grand balls, works to found the Metropolitan Opera House, and to ensure that her children achieved the stature she deemed appropriate.
She was no shrinking violet … she was a Steel Magnolia. Intelligent, cagey, and fiercely independent. Faced with a betrayal, she moved forward with a scandalous strategy. It was a courageous move, but she was determined. Among the causes she championed was suffrage for all women.
I thought Fowler did a great job of bringing this fascinating woman to life. Of course I had heard of the Vanderbilts, but I knew little of Alva’s background or of her political causes before reading this.
Barrie Kreinik did a fine job of performing the audiobook. I found her interpretation of Ava and the many other characters believable. This is the second book set during the Gilded Age that I’ve listened to this month, and I admit that I got a bit confused at times, thinking that an episode in the story of Jennie Churchill was part of Alva’s story. That’s my fault, not the book’s or narrator’s.
cjeanne99's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Alva Vanderbilt Belmont was a remarkable woman who accomplished many things for her time. The story follows her time from near destitution after her father's illness and loss of income - through her marriage and divorce from William Vanderbilt an subsequent marriage to Oliver Belmont.
Her greatest contribution was her work for women's suffrage and involvement in the National Women's Party. I would have appreciated a little less about her daughter Consuelo's romantic liason's and a little more about Alva's life after the death of her second husband. Fowler took great care to focus the story on Alva herself, and recognition of how New York City society treated women in the early 20th century - but left me wanting more.
Her greatest contribution was her work for women's suffrage and involvement in the National Women's Party. I would have appreciated a little less about her daughter Consuelo's romantic liason's and a little more about Alva's life after the death of her second husband. Fowler took great care to focus the story on Alva herself, and recognition of how New York City society treated women in the early 20th century - but left me wanting more.